Regulator



REGULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l R. A. ARTHUR ET AL INVENTORS ROBERT A. ARTHUR JAMES. M

ATTORNEY Nov. 2l, 1950 Filed sept. 29, 1947 Nov. 21, 1950 R. A. ARTHUR ETAL REGULATOR Filed sept. 29. *194:7

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ARTHUR KEMPER s R 0 T N E V N ATTORNEY New 2, 95@ R. A. ARTHUR ETAL, ggw@ INVENTORS ROBERT A. ARTHUR JAMES ATTORNEY E, E95@ R. A. ARTHUR ETAL., ZBL@ v REGULATOR Filed Sept. 291, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3nvcntors ROBERT A. ARTHUR JAMES M. KEMPER l Gttorneg Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OF FIC E D REGULATOR .Robert A. drthnr, Santa Monica,'and .lames M. Kemper, ,-Hollywood, Calif., assignors to The Garrett Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation/of California Application September 29, 1947,.Serial`N0. 776,842

a 1l. Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to means of controlling the pressurized ventilation fof .an :enclosure or compartment, and relates more .particularly to means for vmaintaining a desired air pressure within said enclosure.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with pressurized ventilation in aircraft cabins Vand :the like,:and isshown andfdescribed embodied insuch an installation, it `is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto, and it is to be further understood that the term aircraf, as used herein, refers to any type -of device that travels through the earths atmosphere.

Generally, in cabin `pressurizing and ventilating systems, there is means, suchras an air pump or supercharger, for supplying air `under pressure'to thecabin, with lone ormore control valves for controlling the youtflow of air from a :discharge or outlet duct or ducts, and it is an objectqof the present invention to provide animproved jcabin `pressurizing and Ventilating system wherein there are a plurality of air Vdischarge ducts controlled by valve means, each of which is, in turn, under controLof a master regulating system.

There have been cabin pressurizing and `ventilating systems-proposed having a pluralityqof valve controlled outlets for exhausting r-ai'r .from the cabin to atmosphere, under the control of cabin pressure and differential pressure responsive control devices. By -making the voutlet of sumcient area, the entire outilow of an aircraft cabin can `be -controlled by one or two vof such rcguators. Howevenwhere only one or two regulators are employed, the areas within-the cabin more remote from such regulators will not be as well ventilated as theareas neai the regulators, and the air in such remote areas will tend to become more or less stagnant.

It is therefore another object-of the invention to provide a ventilation Ysystem vwhich ,'-will avoid this condition, i. e., a system which will give fairly uniform ventilation `throughout the interior of an aircraft cabin. embodies the concept of employing an adequate number of outflow control valves sufciently distributed throughout the area of the cabin enclosure to provide adequate distribution of 4outflow to attain uniformity of ventilation.

As the mechanism of a pressure regulator for controlling the outiiow valves is somewhatrcomplicated and quite delicate, such mechanisnrmay require supervision, adjustment, and servicing from time to time, so as to maintainit in proper operating condition, and this may involve lconsiderable expense.

yIt is therefore still another object of this vinvention to provideapressurizing and Ventilating system in which the necessity for servicing-a large number of control mechanisms is eliminated.

Accordingly, the .invention A further object is to provide a system of this character that is relatively inexpensive so that an aircraft cabin may be equipped with adequate ventilation and pressure control at relatively low cost.

Assuming the use of a lfairly large number of control mechanisms in a single aircraft icabin, any derangement of one of such mechanisms could throw theentire vcontrol system out of balance. To locate the improperly operating control device might necessitate testing all of the control devices in the cabin.

VIt is a still further object of the invention yto provide a multiple outlet control systemin which the control mechanism can be quickly andreadily adjusted so as to provide uniform control .at all of the outlets.

The utilization of only one or two control outlets woud require such outlets to be of large size in order to handle the volume of outflow required for adequate ventilation. Such large units `would be much more expensive to manufacture than smaller units, `and it 'is another object o'f the invention to provide a control system utilizing a number of'relatively small outlet valves of relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. system of this character which is relatively simple in construction and reliable in operation.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a device of this character wherein there is a valve controlling the outflow of air, including ya movable valve member subjected to Yfluid pressure on opposite sides thereof, and a valve seat therefor, said valve being so constructed and arranged 'that vthere is substantially no variation in the effective pressure area of said movable valve member with respect toits various operative positions.

yA further object ofthe invention is to provide a valve of this character wherein the ambient or atmospheric pressure has substantially no effect on said movable valve member.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following part of the speciiication. Y

Referring to the drawings, which are `for illustrative purposes only,

Fig, .1 .fi-sectional view taken on line -I-l in Fig. 2 showing an outlet -control valve constructed in accordance with the present `invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view-of-said valve;

Figis an end viewof an alternative arrangementof the valve wherein the regulating or control mechanism is embodied in the 'valve unit;

Fig. 4 is aside viewof the same;

5 `is asectional view of the selfeontained unit taken on line 5--5 in Fig. 3.;

Gis a sectional View through .the control mechanism taken on 'line iii- "6 rin Li; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing an alternative arrangement of the invention.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, there is shown a wall Il! or an aircraft cabin which is supplied with a flow of Ventilating air in the usual manner by any suitable means, such as an air pump or supercharger Ii (Fig. 7) driven by the aircraft engine or other suitable means. A flow valve assembly, indicated generally at I2 and hereinafter called the slave valve unit, is secured to the outer side of the wall I by means of bolts i3, and the unit includes a valve inlet member ifi', having a port I therethrough which registers with an outlet opening i5 in wall I3 and is positioned in the ambient atmosphere or any space of lesser pressure than the cabin, as for example a bomb hay, wheel well or duct. Valve inlet member it is itself formed .as a base ring or flange il with a thickened portion It deiining the central opening or port I5 and exteriorly shaped as a truncated cone. The latter provides a sloping seat for a movable poppet type valve, indicated generally at I9. The bolts I3, previously referred to, pass through the ila-nge Il'.

Valve member I9 is movable toward and from its seat i8 and is in the general shape of a shallow cup having a bottom wall 2D and a peripheral, axially extending cylindrical wall portion 2l, the free end of which is beveled at 22 to provide a relatively narrow or sharp inner edge 23 adapted to contact the oppositely sloping surface oi seat I8. The seating surface of the seat IB is an external frusto-conical surface which slopes outwardly away from the region of engagement by the valve and slopes away from the engagement edge 23 or the valve. By so forming this seat there is a centralizing effect and in additional ample clearance around the seating edge of the valve Iii is provided so that air flowing from the cabin through the valve opening is less likely to produce any undesirable effects which might disturb the positioning of the valve. This construction and arrangement of the movable valve member and its seat provide a valve Construction wherein there is substantially no variation in the elective pressure area on the port side or the movable valve member in its various operative positions.

Slave valve unit I2 also includes a centrally located Z-sectioned annular casing member 2-3 supported in spaced relationship to the ring Il by spaced sleeves 25 enclosing the bolts I3. Z-sectioned member 213 includes an outwardly extending annular fia-nge 23 'formed with holes through which extend the ends of the retaining bolts I3. Lying adjacent flange 25 and held in place by the spacer sleeves 25 is the inturned ange 2l? and an annular enclosing collar 28 which extends toward base ring Il concentrically of member 2li. The inner free end 29 of collar 28 is spaced cut- Wardly from the valve inlet member Ill and does not interfere with the free flow of air through the poppet valve I9 when open.

The device is provided with a generally cupshaped cover 39 having an out-turned annular flange or lip 3l formed with annularly spaced openings through which the threaded ends of the bolts I3 also extend to be secured upon the outer side by nuts 32. As disclosed, a gasket 33 may be provided between the flanges 2G and 3l to insure an air-tight seal. Also, additional clamping or securing means for the anges may be provided, such as bolts 353, arranged in annularly spaced relationship between bolts I3 Between the side wall 2I of valve member I9 and the in-turned flange 35 at the inner end of Z-sectioned member 24 is a flexible diaphragm 35 generally cylindrical in shape and substantially unresponsive to ambient pressure. One end of the diaphragm 36 encloses the cylindrical Wall 2l of the valve member I9 in sealed relationship while the opposite end is in-turned at 3'! and clamped to the flange 35 of member 24 by the cooperation of an annular ring-like plate 33 and annularly arranged screws 39. Flange 35 o member 24 is held in spaced relationship to valve inlet member I' and determines the travel permitted valve member I9 Vin moving to its open position.

About the exterior of the cylindrical portion of the diaphragm 36 is disposed a diaphragm guide or collar 43, cylindrical in shape and of greater diameter than the cylindrical portion of Z member 2d. Collar 40 is provided at its inner end with a plurality of peripherally spaced axially extending slots 49a (Fig. 4) which form tabs 3b. The latter are pressed against the outer face of the adjacent portion of the diaphragm by a ring or band lll to secure together the valve member I9, diaphragm 33 and collar 63. The outer and free end of collar 40 is disposed about said cylindrical portion of the member 23 in spaced relation thereto. To provide additional securing means and to prevent axial slippage between valve I9 and diaphragm 36 the former is provided with an annular groove 42 in which is received an internal annular rib 4'3 on the diaphragm.

When the device is assembled, the diaphragm 3B includes a generally U-shaped portion 44 in the space between the member 24 and the collar 3, the latter extending longitudinally beyond said U-shaped portion of the diaphragm so that there is a rolling action of the diaphragm between said member 24 and collar lll) with operative movements of the valve member I9. The area of the valve surface adjacent the valve seat I8 and externally of the seat engaging edge 23 and against which atmospheric air may exert force tending to open the valve and the area of the U-shaped portion irl of the member 24 against which atmospheric air may exert force in a direction tending to close the valve, are substantially the same so that the forces tending to open the valve and the forces tending to close the valve are in balance. By this arrangement the position of the valve is entirely under the control of the pressure within the chamber and a change in atmospheric pressure has no eiiect on the position of the valve. The valve member I9, diaphragm 36, member 2l, and cover 33, dene a chamber 45 adapted to be provided with a control pressure eiective upon the outer side of valve I9. It will be understood from the foregoing that the elective pressure area of the outer side of the valve member I9 does not vary in the various operative positions of said member.

The valve member I9 is movable axially and to guide it for straight line movement is provided an axial stem 4"'1, to the end ange 48 of which it is secured by means of screws 39. If desired, the screws may have transverse drill holes through their heads for reception of a locking wire 50 to prevent accidental loosening.

Valve stem BT extends at its free end into the adjacent free end of an aligned xed tubular sleeve or guide 5I. An annular flange or head 52 on the latter is secured to the outer side of the cover 30 by means of screws 53, which, in a aise-1,1100

manner similar lto Athey screws A9., my be locked against displacement by ,a locking wire 5d.

Sleeve 5i extends into the chamber :i5 through an opening 55 in the Ycove-r 3d, and is provided with a tapped opening 56 atthe outer end of its interior bore 58 and withintersecting cross bores 57 forming air passages connecting fit interiorly with chamber d'5. If desired, Ya-sealinggasket EQ maybe interposed betweentherange 52 andthe adjacentside of the'cover 3G.

The bore 58 is enlarged at its inner :end to receive a ball bearing assembly including a tubular housings@ with axially spaced ,-bal-l and race assemblies it! and/S2 -disposed ftherein. lThe ends of the housing te are Ainturned at 63 and ftd, as iianges `to prevent displacement of the race assemblies, 'the former abutting a shoulder at the inner end of the enlarged bore of the sleeve. Valve stem i? seats slidingly within -ball bearing assemblies EI and 62 and provides for the axial displacement of valve Id with a minimum of frictional resistance.

Valve member :Iefis -urged inthe closing direction by a relatively light concentric coil spring Se which at its `oppositeend abuts its retainer-5i secured exteriorly tolxed sleeve 5I by a retaining rin f clippedinto a groove provided thereforin the sleeve. When the supercharger Yil is not operating, .the valve It isl held closed by spring dii. Operation of the csupercharger, hov ever, creates a` pressure head in cabin iii which acts on the inner face of valve member I9 through opening i5 :and port I5, to urge it in the opening direction. An .opposing pressure in chamber d5 resists Athis lmovementand urges said valve member in `theclosing direction. By controlling the iiuid or air .pressure in vchamber d5 the extent of valve opening is controlled, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referringnowfto Figs.`3 to'i, inclusive, means are shown for 4regulating the ypressure in the chamber 'd5 `:for the @purpose of controlling the movement of `valve member IQ. fIn the illustrated arrangement the regulating and valve means, indicated generally-at I2a and termed a control unit, comprise a single unit, which so far as the valve construction alone is concerned is like the construction described and-illustrated in Figs. '1 and2. For 'the 'cover 3i! lof theyvalve assembly shown in Figs. l1 and 2, however, a cover d@ is substituted `being :so formed as ato accommodate control mechanism including isobaric and-"diierential pressure sensitive bellows 'iii and il., respectively. The isobaric 'bellows has an end plate Vprovided with a rscrew 'i2 extended through wall 'i3 of the cover 69 and secured ixedly in position by a `nut 'ill'. The 'inner movableend of the bellows is :provided with a projection d'5 from which :extends a stem "it, the connection being effectedby any suitable Ameans such .as a pin iti. The oppositezendofthe stem 'is carries a tapered valve Amember "i8 slidable in a .bore provided therefor in aXed valve member is, itself mounted in a 1boss'ieaorme'd infcover G9. Member "i9 includes :a fvalve Aseat Se connectedby an internalipassage-'SI through itsextension 82 and it is .the cooperative 'function of valve 'i8 andseat Sllto controlfluidiiow.through that passage.

Passage iii Icommunicates with atmosphere by way ofopeningsfrinxa nut r8.5 threaded on the end of the extensio'nZ of valve seat member i9. It also-communicates with chamber dithrough transverse ycross-passages 83.

lResilientmeans, :shown Vas a feoil fspring 86, is

ZIB

disposedabout the valve stem l5 and .reacts between `the fixed valve .member 11b .and a washer 8i positioned on the stem .by means of a pin .8`8. Spring 86 exerts a force which urges valve'member witi toward itsopen position.

AdjustableA means are provided. which at all times urge valve member T8 'to its closed position in vopposition .to spring ,'36. fhesemeans .asldisposed comprise a .lever .89 .pivoted fin cover. gat Se vvupon a supporting 'member 'QI xed to an 'inwar-diy extending vbossfSZ `formed integrally with cover wall 13. Lever .'89 fis generally U-shapedin cross section withits open sidefac'ing wall T3, as shown in Fig. 6, andstraddles the boss or ,projection T5 on isobaric bellows "III and is pivotally connected thereto vby .the pin 'I-`l,.which may be ya Cotter-.pin as shown in Fig.5. Theitop wallof the lever vis suitably cut awayr to accommodate 'the valve stem IE so that both theleverandlthe stem will be free to assume .their ,necessary operative positions. A spring ed lis receivedlbe'tweenthe side walls of the lever 39.,.its hooked end il engaging a transverse Cotter pin i .carried.`therby. The opposite end of the .spring lill Ylis .hooked through an .opening ,971 in an adgustablemember 98 having a head 99. The latter 'is threaded and seats in a rotatable sleeve .Ii' carried by cover 69 and formed with a tool-.receivings'lot .illI in its outer end. 'Rotation of sleeve 'Ill effects ,the longitudinal movement of the rmember 98 .and varies the tension of spring.. Thisadjustment means may be of the type disclosed in the copending Aapplication of James QM. Kemper, for a Cabin Pressure Control System,Ser'ial N o. 613,794, filed August 31, 1945,now PatentNo. 2,463,489.

Differential lpressure bellows II `has an end plate m5 witha hollow threaded-stem I. A nut II', formed with openings-H19, is screwed onto the stem and secures the bellows to a wall, IUS of the cover 69, the interior of .the bellows connecting to atmosphere through the stern IBB and openings I-il. It is to be Vnoted .that the cover walls 13 and Hi8 are opposed and ithat the bellows 'I and II mounted thereon extend inwardly toward each other .in chamber H5 .butin laterally spaced planes the arrangement .being `such as to providefa compact unit yrequiringa minimumo'f space.

The inner andl movable end of `.thebellovvs Il is provided with aboss VI-Ill seating a valve stem .I II secured in place as by a cotter pin yI-IZ. VThe opposite, end of the val-Ve stem -I I.I,.:in .a manner similar to valve stem it-is provided with .a tapered valvefmember II3 extended slidably in va .longitudinal bore formed ina xed valve member I M. The latter is also formed rwith arvalve-seat H5 with which valve member II3 cooperates to control the flow'of air fthroughthe valve to and from chamber 45. The valve member I-Ii :is provided with an extension Ii through which extends a longitudinal passage `II'I and which itself eX- tends through an'unshown opening through the boss 52 formed integrally with the lwall i3. The outer vend of extension IIS is threaded for reception of a nut -I I9 fhaving a laterally-extending passage YIZ) which-communicates Ywith the passage II=I. Thus, -it is seen, the interior of the cover 89 comprising the chamber 4.5, `is vincontrolled communication with atmosphere.

A coil spring I ZI disposed about valve stem I II andreactingfbetweenthe xed valve memberIM and a washer I2f2'positionedion-the stem III `bya pin I23,*.at all times urges the valve VH3 iin the opening direction. Means -urging the expansion of bellows 'II vand the movement -,.of A.valve -.I-I=3 :to

its 'closed position is provided and include a lever |24 pivoted adjacent one end at |25 to a rigid support member |26 xed to the boss 19a. Lever |24 is shaped similarly to the lever 89 and is secured to the boss H of bellows 1| by means of the pin ||2. One end of a spring |28 is attached to the free end of lever |24 by means of a pin |29, its other end being attached to a longitudinally movable member |30 having a threaded head |3| threadably received in an internally threaded bore of a sleeve |32 rotatable in boss 92 and slotted at |33 at its outer end for angular adjustment. This adjustment means is similar to that provided for adjusting the effective force of spring 94.

It is to be noted that the valve 18 controls communication between the chamber 45 and atmosphere, and that the valve ||3 also controls communication between said chamber and atmosphere. The operation of this mechanism will be hereinafter described.

The chamber 45 is connected to the cabin by suitable means shown as including a conduit |35 provided at one end with a suitable fixture |35 connected to a hollow bolt |31 substituted for one of the bolt I3 and spacer sleeve 25 assemblies of Fig. 1. Bolt |31 extends into the cabin where its threaded end seats a nut |38 having openings |39 connecting the interior longitudinal bore of the bolt with the interior of the cabin. The end of conduit |35 adjacent cover 69 is provided with a xture |40 for attachment to a second fixture |4| the threaded end of which is screwed into a bore |42 of a plate |43 attached to the cover by means of screws |44. The plate |43 is disposed over an opening in cover 59 in which is received a tubular filter |45 having a ange |45 at its outer end disposed between the plate |43 and the cover wall. The screws |44 also secure the filter in place, and if desired, a sealing gasket |41 may be interposed between the cover wall and the flange |46. A restricted bleed opening or oriice |49 connects the interior of lter |45 with enclosing chamber 45.

At ground level when the supercharger is not operating valve |9 is held closed by the action of spring 65, the cabin pressure being equal to the ambient pressure present in chamber 45. The operation of the supercharger, however, creates a head of pressure in cabin l0 of several pounds per square inch above atmospheric pressure and exerts a force upon valve I9 to move it to open position whereupon Ventilating air is permitted to circulate through the cabin and to discharge through the valve port as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 5.

The control unit is so adjusted by selection of isobaric bellows 15 and by the adjustment of spring 94 that valve 13 is maintained in open position in the presence of pressures within chamber 45 above the pressure found at a predetermined altitude, as for example 8000 feet. As the aircraft ascends, however, the pressure in chamber 45 decreases, it being open to the ambient through valve 18, and bellows expands to eiect a gradual closing of the valve. Air under pressure is introduced constantly into chamber 45 through the conduit |35 and the orice |49. So long as the pressure in chamber 45 exceeds the predetermined pressure valve 1S and its controlling bellows 10 perform no function to maintain the pressure in the chamber but upon that pressure decreasing to the predetermined value the valve is closed to an extent that the permitted ow of escape air to atmosphere is just equal to the flow of incoming air through conduit |35 and orice |49. It is the function of bellows 10 to maintain the pressure of chamber 45 at the predetermined value in normal pressurized ilight throughout what is called the isobaric range and independently of further increases in altitude with corresponding decrease in the ambient pressure. This pressure is used as a reference pressur acting upon the outside of valve I9 and is opposd by cabin pressure acting on the opposite sine of the valve.

The reference pressure in chamber 45 is maintained constant throughout the isobaric range by allowing a flow of air under pressure to enter through conduit |35 and orifice |49 and allowing an amount to escape to the ambient atmosphere through metering valve 18. An increase in chamber pressure causes the bellows 10 to contract whereupon valve 18 allows more air to escape to atmosphere and thus reduce the chamber pressure to normal. A lesser pressure causes the bellows 10 to expand whereupon less air escapes to atmosphere and an increase in chamber pressure is effected. As the mechanism is very sensitive to pressure variations substantially a constant pressure is provided throughout the isonario range upon the chamber side of the valve. Accordingly, any variation in cabin pressure acting upon the cabin side of the valve will cause a corrective valve movement to take place. If cabin pressure tends to increase valve i9 will be forced open to a greater extent through permitting the excessive pressure to escape. Similarly a tendency toward a decrease in cabin pressure permits the pressure in chamber 45 to move the valve toward its closed position thereby reducing the outflow from the cabin to the ambient atmosphere whereupon the pressurizing means are enabled to increase the pressure.

As the force of expansion of isobaric bellows 10 which effects the closing of valve 18 is supplemented by the tension in spring 94 it is possible by adjusting that tension to cause the bellows to assume different positions for a given presa sure acting thereon within chamber 45. That is,

the isobaric range within which the bellows will control the cabin pressure can be shifted upwardly or downwardly.

Throughout the isobaric range the pressure within the cabin will be maintained in the manner just described. The upper limit of that range is determined by the pressure differential between cabn and atmospheric pressures reaching a point beyond which it is unsafe to go for structural reasons. Today 30,000 feet can be selected as an example of such height. At this point differential bellows 1| becomes operative and acts to lower the reference pressure in chamber 45 by allowing chamber air to escape past valve ||3 to atmosphere. Up to this critical pressure differential atmospheric pressure within bellows 1| supplemented by the tension of spring |28 had been adequate to hold valve ||3 in closed position upon its seat ||5 against the opening force provided by the chamber pressure acting on the exterior of the bellows supplemented by the force of coil spring |2|. The decrease of the atmospheric pressure within the bellows, however, enables the opening forces to open the valve and retain it open until the closing forces are again able to close it. The effect of this operation is to prevent the pressure in chamber 45 from exceeding the ambient pressure by more than a predetermined maximum dilferential. Correspondingly, and as valve I9 moves in the open direction with' decrease? in'ciiamber'pressure; the

cabin pressure` willi bed reduced witlithe chamber pressure lit"V is to be noted that. uponA reaching the' upper limit' of' theisobaric; range` the isobaric' bellows 'lllcontinuesto position valve TSfin a continuance oix` its' effort to maintain` the pressure in chamber d" at said predeternr-inedlevel; but that ldespite thisop'eration the openingV or' valve FM by the differential bellows 'il permits the chamber pressure to' decrease satirat valve* lgopens'more widelyto effect'n a decrease in cabin' pressure;

With control mechanism; such as4 shown4 in Figs.3 to 6i`n the chamber'dof the outlet valve unit said` unit may be used as, a master' control for controlling a plurality of' 'slave` valves or shown in Figs; I andi2 which m'aybe located at'variouspartsof the aircraft to eliminate stagnantairpockets. This control byl themaster unit is' eliectedL by connecting thecham'b'er 45I of the master control unit with the chamber lll of each slave'valve units; asby a conduit idd' wherebyA the reference pressure'in the respective chambers" l5 will be maintained at the same or' at" substann tially thesamevalue.

The conduits i60" may lead from the chamber 45 of: the master unit directly' tov the chambers 65 of the slave'valve 'umts,'or,` if desired, thetvarious units' may have passagesthrough' a bolt I3 which passages' are suitably connected`v Within the aircraft cabin.

Referring now te` Fig. 7, there is shown a schematic orA diagrammatic' representationof a cabin pressure` control system embodying'an' alternative arrangement ofthe present' invention in which* one or'more slave 'units I2"V are'- controlledw bya contro1"uni`t` indicated generally5 by theY` reference character' I1-5 The' cabin lill is provided with a plurality' of` openings i6, only one' of whichr is' shownv` in Fig. 7, having anoutflow valve I^2`. The pressure` regulating' unit' is shown' generally at' F151 and is of thel` type'disclosedY in the application of: James M. Kemper, Serial No; '710;67'7, 'l'edi November lil, 194B', now Patentl No; 2,5`1"3;332`f,` to which4 application referenceisherem'ade foranunderstanding of its structure andV operating characteristics'. Control unit lil 5 also functions'to control the pressure" in chamber 4'5" of*l thel slaveunits connected toit and for 'that purpose is' suitably' connectedA thereto asby conduits |16, one'offwhic'h is illustrated in Fig. 'l The cabin` Iilis pressurized by the supercharger Il so that the valve I9 is, as inthe-first embodiment;*acted*I uponby cabin pressure upon one of; its` sides and by-` the pressure of chamber 45 upon its sides. Under the control of unit Ile the various slave units l2 will function to maintain pressure within the cabin iniy accordance with the operating characteristics oit the control unit which of: itself forms ncpart. of thepresent invention. The unbalancing of these pressures so that the pressure on the outer side of the valve member" I'B (relative to the cabin is lowe'rthan that' on the'inner-side, the v'a-lvewill move-inthe openingv direction-until the" diiierentiali of" pressures on`-oppositesides thereof' will balancear reach a stateof equilibrium; and'when` saidva'ive isv` in arropenpositienandithe'pressureon thermner or cabinsideis lowerthan that orr the' Outer' side, the valvewlll movein: the.' closing direction until-seated, or a balance of pressures onthe op' positersides thereof is reached..

Whether the valve construction be incorporated in a slave unit as illustrated. in Figs. 1, 2 and 7 or in a control unit as illustrated in Figs.

3 to 6 inclusive,V it' operates with desirableefliciency: The cabin pressureacts' upon the cupped sideof valve" l9, primarilyl uponth'e bottom wall 20 thereof. As wall 2l? is surrounded accompanies even a slight opening cian ordinary valve' is avoided. The wall' 2l prevents t'he air actin'gj on' thevalve from' rushingradiallyv outward and" instead holds it pocketed'; as the' Valve moves in the open direction". Additionally'the areas'up'onv the opposite sides ofthe valve acted upon by' the` actuating pressures are" maintained constant as the valve moves outwardly. The only member changing its shape comprises the diaphragm 3S which is rolled' between the guide 41B; and the' cylindrical wall of the Z-s'ectioned member 2'# so that its' area exposed tov atmospheric pressure andY to chamber pressureremain constant; The presencev of theibearing supported stemY c'linsure's'a minimum of resistance tovalve displacement;

1. In a fluid lowcontrol" valve for controlling the iiuid flowv from an opening: a valve seat .about said opening in the general' form` of a truncated cone to provide a sloping` seating surface which slopes outwardly away' from the regi'on of engagement; a movable valvev member in the general' shapeV of a shallow cup and" comprising a wall from which a periplie'ral flange axially extends towardl the opening the free end of said' ange being bevelled to provide aV relatively sharp inner edge adapted" toAv engage the seatabout saidopening; means forming archamber adjacent the". side. of theI wall opposite. said opening. andI having an open end facing said wall.;A yielding. means urgingV the movable. Valve member toward closed. position; andA .flexible means connecting. said. walll withthe open end of the chamber to provide a pressure chamber therewith, said` exibl'e, means. being so constructed and'. arranged` that ambient atmosphere exertssubstantiallly no effective` influence thereon',v andhence,h exerts substantially no elective influence on thefpositionng. of, the movable valve member.A K

The invention` denedby claim 1t. wherein theA pressure; chamber is connected to a source of pressure. g v Y 3-. The. invention defined b-y claim 1-,` wherein theA pressure chamber is connected to ai source of variable. pressure. Y

4.. 'llhe invention definedby claim l,` wherein 1`fhe--pressurey chamber is connectedI with asource oi controlled pressure.`

5.l The invention dei-"ined:` by claim` 1, wherein the valve-I wall. is provided witlr an: axial stem, and there is:I guidev mea-ns for said stem permitting axiall movement thereof. 1

A fluid flow contrcl-valvefor controlling the fluid ow. from an opening. in` an aircraft cabin andhaving a valve seat.` about-said opening, comprising: a movablevalvemember. inthe: general shape ofl'afshall'ow cup comprising- :af-wallA from which. a peripheral flange axially extends to wardI the valve seat., the Atreel endV of said. flange beingY bevelled toA provide a relatively narrow inner edigeaolaptedltoengage the seat about said opening.; means forming a chamber adjacent theside of. the wall opposite. said openingf and having an... open end. facing saidw-all, saidV open end .beingoil smaller area` thansaid- Wall; la` flex'- ibie diaphragm connecting said wall with the open end of said chamber, said diaphragm being cylindrical in shape and having one end secured about the flange of the wall and having the opposite end turned inwardly and secured to the open end of said chamber forming means; a cylindrical collar disposed about the cylindrical portion of the diaphragm in outwardly spaced relation to the open end of the chamber; and guide means for the movable Valve member for axially guiding same, said diaphragm having a portion which rolls with axial movement of the movable valve member. v

7. In an outflow valve for a pressurized aircraft cabin having an outlet opening with a valve seat thereabout, comprising: a movable valve member in the general shape of a cup comprising a wall from which a peripheral flange extends toward the valve seat, the free end of said flange providing a relatively narrow edge adapted to engage the seat about said opening; means forming a chamber adjacent the side of the wall opposite the opening and having an open end facing said wall; fiexible means connecting the wall with the open end of the chamber to provide a pressure chamber, said flexible means and movable valve member being so constructed and arranged that ambient atmosphere exerts substantially no effective influence thereon, and hence, exerts no substantially effective inuence on said movable valve member; means forming a connection between the pressure chamber and atmosphere; means connecting said pressure chamber with a source of higher pressure; pressure responsive means including a valve controlling one of said openings, and a pressure responsive device responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling said pressure; a second connection with atmosphere; and means, including a pressure responsive device, for controlling said second connection, said last-named pressure responsive device being subjected on one side to pressure in said pressure chamber and on the opposite side to atmosphere.

8. A fluid iiow control valve for controlling the uid flow from an opening, comprising: a truncated valve seat about said opening; a movable valve member in the general shape of a shallow cup comprising a wall from which a peripheral flange extends axially toward the valve seat, the free end of said flange being bevelled to provide a relatively sharp edge adapted to engage the seat about said opening, said valve member being at the outlet side of the opening so that the pressure of fluid in said opening urges said valve member in the opening direction; means forming a chamber adjacent the wall opposite said opening and having an open end facing said wall; a flexible diaphragm connecting said Wall with the open end of said chamber, said diaphragm being substantially cylindrical in shape and having one end secured about the flange of the Wall and having the opposite end secured to the open end of the chamber forming means; and a cylindrical collar disposed about the cylindrical portion of the diaphragm in outwardly spaced relation to the open end of the chamber.

9. In an outflow valve for an enclosure having an opening and a valve seat thereabout: a movable valve member comprising a wall from which a flange extends toward the valve seat, the free end of said flange comprising a relatively narrow edge adapted to engage the seat about said opening; means forming a chamber adjacent the side of the wall opposite the opening and Y having an open end adjacent said wall; flexible means connecting the wall with the open end of the chamber to provide a pressure chamber, said flexible means and said flange having opposed surfaces exposed to the same air outside said chamber in order that such air exerts substantially no effective influence in a direction tending to open or close said valve member; and means for controlling the pressure in said chamber to thereby control said movable valve member. y

10. In an outow valve for an enclosure having an opening and a valve seat thereabout: a movable valve member comprising a wall from which a flange extends toward the valve seat, the free end of said flange comprising a relatively narrow edge adapted to engage the seat about said opening; means forming a chamber adjacent the side of the wall opposite the opening and having an open end adjacent said wall; flexible means connecting the wall with the open end of the chamber to provide a pressure chamber, said flexible means and said flange having opposed surfaces exposed to the same air outside said chamber, the effective areas of said opposed surfaces tending to open and close said valve member being substantially equal to thereby substantially cancel any tendency for the pressure of such air to open or close said valve member; and means for controlling the pressure in said chamber to thereby control said movable valve member.

11. In a fluid flow control valve for an en closure having an opening therein and a valve seat about said opening: a movable valve member comprising a wall from which a peripheral flange extends toward the valve seat, the free end of said flange comprising a relatively narrow inner edge adapted to engage the seat about said opening, and providing an area subjected to pressure outside said enclosure tending to move said movable valve member away from said seat; means forming a chamber adjacent the side of the wall opposite the opening and having an open end facing said wall; exible means connecting the wall with the open end of the chamber to provide a pressure chamber, said flexible means having a peripheral portion subjected to pressure outside the enclosure urging the movable valve member toward said seat to substantially balance the pressure on the flange urging the valve away from the seat; and means for controlling the pressure in said chamber.

ROBERT A. ARTHUR. JAMES M. KEMPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,680,750 Smoot Aug. 14, 1928 1,901,805 Feeley Mar. 14, 1933 2,402,681 Schroeder J'une 25, 1946 2,441,088 Teague May 4, 1948 2,441,089 Teague May 4, 1948 2,436,183 Snedecor Feb. 17, 1948 2,450,881 Cooper et al Oct. 12, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number ICountry Date 563,553 Great Britain Aug. 21,1944 

